2017 Literary Landmarks

Cherokee Elementary School, Paradise Valley, AZ. Author Barbara Park (1947-2013) was inspired to write the plot of Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus when she found a young Cherokee student walking home after he missed the school bus. The Stupid Smelly Bus series has sold more than six-million copies worldwide. Dedicated May 5, 2017.
Partners: Arizona Center for the Book at the Arizona State Library, Random House Children’s Books.

Austin High School, Austin, MN. Poet Richard Eberhart (1904-2004), an alum of the school, stood out as an emerging superstar during his years at Austin High School. His notable works include Burr Oak (1947), named after his childhood estate in Austin; Selected Poems, 1930-1965, winner of the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; and Collected Poems, 1930-1976, winner of the National Book Award. Dedicated April 17, 2017. Partners: Friends of the Austin Library, Minnesota Association of Library Friends.

Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, Wilton, N.Y. In June of 1885, former two-term United States President and four-star General Ulysses S. Grant arrived at the site now known as Grant Cottage to complete writing his memoirs. He completed his memoirs there two days before dying at 8 a.m. on July 23, 1885. Dedicated September 16, 2017. Partners: The Empire State Center for the Book.

The Lotos Club, New York, N.Y. Founded March 15, 1870, The Lotos Club is one of the oldest literary clubs in the United States. Its name is taken from the Tennyson poem “The Lotos Eaters.” Many writers of note have been members or have been honored by the club. Dedicated June 21, 2017. Partners: Empire State Center for the Book.

The Manila House, Washington, D.C., was a gathering place of the Washington, D.C.- area Filipino community from the 1930s to the 1950s. Filipino author Bienvenido (Ben) Santos, winner of the 1981 American Book Award, wrote about the Manila House in his collection of short stories, “Scent of Apples.” Dedicated May 6, 2017. Partners: the Philippine Arts, Letters and Media Council (PALM); the Philippines on the Potomac Project (POPDC); the Rita M. Cacas Foundation, Inc. (RMCF), the Toribio Family.

Warren-Trumbull County Public Library - Earl Derr Biggers, Warren, Ohio. Author and playwright Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933), a native of Warren, Ohio, was best known for his Charlie Chan detective novels, which depicted the Asian-American titular character as an intelligent hero during a time when popular literature negatively stereotyped Asians. Many of his novels and plays were adapted into films and Broadway productions. The Landmark plaque is on display at the Main Library in Warren near the Local Author Collection. Dedicated September 23, 2017. Partners: Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, Friends of the Warren Library.

Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem, Pa. Poet Hilda Doolittle was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA. Her childhood home was located across the plaza from the Library, where City Hall now stands. Dedicated September 8, 2017. Partners: The Bethlehem Area Public Library and Lehigh University.

Pat Conroy Literary Center, Beaufort, S.C. Writer and educator Pat Conroy (1945-2016) was the eldest son of a Marine fighter pilot father and a mother who instilled in Conroy a deep love of the literary arts. Conroy was the author of 11 novels and memoirs published in his lifetime, including four adapted for film: The Water Is Wide, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, and The Prince of Tides. The setting for much of his writing life, Beaufort, S.C., was Conroy’s artistic muse as well as his adopted hometown. The Pat Conroy Literary Center was established in Beaufort in 2016 to continue Conroy’s legacy as a teacher and mentor to readers and writers. Dedicated Oct. 20, 2017. Partners: Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, South Carolina Academy of Authors, South Carolina State Library.